Vedangas

Vedangas literally mean the limbs of the Vedas. They are six in number. Just like the limbs of the
body, they perform various supportive and augmenting functions in the study, preservation and
protection of the Vedas and the vedic traditions.
The six Vedangas are Siksha, Chhanda, Vyakarana, Nirukta, Jyotisha and Kalpa.
Shiksha = phonetics, Vyakarana = grammar, Chandas = metre, Nirukta = etymology, Kalpa = ritual, Jyotishya
= astronomy

Vedangas compared to Limbs of Human Body

One who studies Vedas
with the six-fold limbs
as above reaches the
abode of the Supreme.
VEDANGA
Chandah Legs
Kalpa Hands
Jyotisa Eyes
Nirukta Ears
Siksha Nose
Vyakaranam Face

1. Siksha:- lays down the rules of phonetics – pronunciation / sounds / duration of utterance of each syllable
– euphony. An understanding of the Vedas is quite a tough job, primarily due to two factors:

1. The archaic language

2. Its phonetic system

Its main purpose is to teach the correct pronunciation and intonation of the Vedic mantras of the
Samhitās. Phonetics are most critical in the case of Vedic language, because a change in sound results in
completely different effects. the mantras must be chanted lucidly, un-blurred, un-faded and not too loud.

This science of Sikṣā has six parts:

1. Varṇa - letter of the alphabet (63 or 64)

2. Svara - pitch or intonation
3. Mātrā - syllabic instant or measure of time
4. Bala - stress or emphasis applied to the place of production of the sound
5. Sāma - medium mode of pronunciation which should produce faultless and sweet
pronunciation.
6. Santāna - juxtaposition or combination ( sandhi)

2. Vyakarana

The word, Vyākaraṇa, is formed by prefixing 'vi' and 'ā' to the root 'kri', to do. The first prefix suggests
division, differentiation, distinguishing etc.; the sense of the second prefix is to put together, gather,
to include etc. Thus, Vyākaraṇa may be thought of as an analysis of language to identify the basic
building blocks of language and a synthesis of those building blocks.

The most important exposition of Grammar is that of sage Panini which is in the form of sutras or
aphorisms. It is known as ashtaadhyaayi, because it has 8 chapters. There is an interesting story
relating to the origin of the Panini Sutras. At the end of the Cosmic Dance, Lord Nataraja (Siva)
clicked his damaru 9 times and 5 times (14 times). The dance was witnessed by Sanaka and other
rishis. Sage Panini, also witnessed the dance through his "divya dhrushti" . With the 14 sounds
produced from His damaru, Lord Siva gave birth to the vyakarana sutras or Mahesvara surtras
The commentary on the Vyakarana is called Maha Bhashya written by Sage Patanjali. The other commentary
was written by Vararuchi. These three - the Vyakarana and the two commentaries - are important texts in
Vyakarana Sastra.

3. Chandas

Though the word chandas also means vedas themselves, the meaning here refers to the meter of vedic
poetry. A sloka or veda mantra is generally a quartet with four quarters or paada . Depending on the number
of syllables in each of the paadas, we have different meters – anushtup (8 syllables), brihati (9) pankti (10)
trishtup (11) ushnik (4 paadas of 7 syllable each = 28 syllables) – like that up to even 26 syllables to a paada.
(Any meter beyond 26 syllables to a paada, is called dandakam.) The well known Gayatri Mantra has three
paadas of 8 syllables each; the meter itself is known as gayatri since it has 24 syllables; however, when people
perform japa, they recite it only as a 23 syllabled meter instead of , and so is called nicrut gayatri chandas.
Chandas helps us to ensure the form of the Mantra (by meter count). No alteration to this can be attempted
since it would disturb the spiritual significance of the mantra itself!.
Each mantra is dedicated to a Devata, has a specific chandas and has a Rishi who brought it to the world.
That is the reason why we touch our head as we recite the name of the Rishi (symbolically placing his feet on
our head), touch the nose when we recite the chandas (the guardian for the mantra is meter and so there is
no life of the mantra without it; in the same way, there is no life without breath); touch our heart when
reciting the name of the devata (to meditate upon the deity in our heart).

4. Nirukta

is generally known as vedic dictionary or kosa or etymology. Amara Kosa is one of the popular sanskrit
dictionaries. Dictionary is also called nighandu by Yaska. Kosa is actually the etymology where each word is
split into syllables and gives the root from which the word is derived with meaning. The root of a word is
called dhaatu. In Sanskrit all words have roots.

5. Jyotisha

deals with vedic astrology / astronomy. It was mainly designed to help in arriving at the most favorable time
for the performance of vedic rituals; this is to indicate the measure of success or lack of it when vedic rituals
are performed under the influence of a particular graha, nakshatra, tithi etc. It involves precise mathematical
calculations concerning the transit of planets etc., and so mathematics is an integral part of it. Jyotisha sastra
has three parts - skandha trayaatmakam. (the word skandha means main branch from the trunk of a tree )
They are,

1. siddhanta skandham deals with trigonometry / arithmatic / algebra / geometry etc.

2. hora skandham : deals with the movement of planets and their effect on people etc.
3. samhita skandham deals with aspects like, the location of underground waters, designing and
building houses, of omens, etc.
Jyotisha sastra covers principles of gravitation, rotation of earth etc. Famous astronomers like Arya
Bhatta, Varahamihira and others have given beautiful discussions on these and other concepts.

The origin of creation is also calculated using astronomical principles; the samkalpam which we perform
before doing any ritual is based on such calculations.

6. Kalpa deals with the aspects inducing a person into vedic action. The mastery in the other 5 vedangas
mentioned so far is aimed to perform the actions mentioned in kalpa successfully. In a way, it is like a manual
which will give details like a) how a ritual should be done; b) what are the functions of brahmacharis,
grihastas, sannyasis etc.c) what ritual involves which mantra, devata, materials d) how many priests should
perform a given ritual, e) what vessel of what shape, size to be used etc.

There are two kinds of kalpa sutras – the srouta (named after sruti which means veda) sutra and the grihya
sutra. They outline the forty rituals to be performed from the time of formation of the embryo in the womb
to the time of cremation of the body ! They also outline the eight Atma gunas (virtues like, compassion,
tolerance, cleanliness etc.) Among the two sutras, srouta sutras describe the major sacrifices and the Grihya
sutras describe the domestic rites.